商标侵权判断中混淆要件的解释适用研究

A Study on the Interpretation and Application of the Confusion Criteria in Trademark Infringement Determination

《商标法》第57条第2项规定了商标相似侵权的混淆要件,在理论研究和司法实践中对该要件的理解分歧较大,特别是在涉外定牌加工等涉及商品出口的纠纷中,关于涉案行为是否满足混淆要件的问题,长期争论不休。应基于商标权保护的基本理念,采用恰当的解释方法,厘清混淆要件的规范目的和功能:其目的是确保不同经营者使用的商标之间保持足够距离;其功能是划定商标禁用权的范围,并作为衡量纠纷双方商标近似、商品类似程度的标准。在此基础上,应进一步澄清混淆要件与消费者的关系,明确国内消费者是否接触被控侵权商品并不影响混淆要件成立。

Article 57(2)of the Chinese Trademark Law stipulates the confusion criteria when determining trademark infringement for similarity.There are significant divergences in understanding this criteria in both theoretical research and judicial practice,especially in disputes involving the export of goods such as foreign-related OEM(original equipment manufacturer).Whether the conduct in such cases satisfies the confusion criteria has been debated for a long time.Therefore,it is necessary to adopt appropriate interpretation methods based on the fundamental principles of trademark protection,clarify the normative purpose and function of the confusion criteria.The purpose is to ensure that trademarks used by different businesses maintain sufficient distance,while its function is to define the scope of trademark exclusive rights and serve as a standard for assessing the similarity between the trademarks and the proximity of the goods involved in disputes.On this basis,the relationship between the confusion criteria and consumers should be further clarified,emphasizing that whether domestic consumers come into contact with the allegedly infringing goods does not affect the establishment of the confusion criteria.